Three Syllables

It’s wonderful how much beauty a singer can give us in just three syllables. Two examples:

Madeline Peyroux recorded the song Libertéfor her latest album, Anthem. She sings the three syllables at the end of the song. The song is in French, but the ending three syllables need no translation.

Liberté . . . Liberté . . . Liberté

Just a bit of translation

On hope without memoryI write your nameAnd by the power of a word I start my life again I was born to know youTo name you Liberty

Oliver Mtukudzi sings with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the song Nería. Mtukudzi starts the songs with a bit of lovely, finger-picked guitar. Then he sings the three syllables: Neria. As soon as I heard that gravelly voice sing Neria, I knew I would love the song. It’s gorgeous. It needs translation so I will quote from the website Jusi I Love: Music From Africa and the African Diaspora

The song was written for the soundtrack of a movie called ‘Neria‘ which is about the struggles of a woman in rural Zimbabwe who lost her husband through an accident. Oliver Mtukudzi’s very emotional song is about the strength of women and how they succeed in facing live challenges.

“Don’t be disheartened Neria, God is with you (Mwari anewe). May your heart be strong, be strong, God is with you. Death is jealous, it separates those in love. Don’t be disheartened my sister, God is with you.”